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Prior Experience 

Welcome to a window into my past, where every step and turn has contributed to the academic I am today. My journey is one marked by a rich tapestry of experiences that extend well beyond the halls of academia. Prior to dedicating myself to the field of Psychology, I devoted eight years to serving our country in the United States Air Force, an experience that instilled in me a profound sense of discipline, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

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Post-military life led me down the entrepreneurial path, where I embraced the challenges of owning and managing businesses. This chapter taught me the value of innovation, strategic thinking, and the importance of understanding human behavior—not just in theory, but in the gritty day-to-day of commerce and customer interaction.

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Alongside my professional endeavors, I found purpose and fulfillment in volunteering, which allowed me to connect with diverse communities and give back in a meaningful way. These experiences have not only enriched my personal growth but also have provided me with a unique perspective that I bring into my teaching and research.

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On this page, I am pleased to share with you some of the pivotal highlights from my past roles. Each position, project, and pursuit has been a building block in my career, equipping me with a multifaceted skill set that I now leverage in my current academic pursuits. 

Color Guard at a NASCAR race
Giving speech to 500 Financial Agents in NJ
Giving speech at open house for Financial business

Other Education 

NYS Life license | 11/2014 | PFSU

  • Related coursework: Whole life, term life, Insurances, Home/Auto, Legal, Investments, Indexed Annuities, 
    Fixed Annuities 

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Certified Personal Trainer | 02/2014 | National Academy of Sports Medicine

  • Major: Personal Training

  • Minor: Fitness nutrition, Bodybuilding, Business Management

  • Related coursework: Learned how to properly relay information to clientele and guide them to get results

 

Management | 02/2011 | Airman leadership school/ professional military education 

  • Major: Managing people

  • Minor: Public Speaking

  • Related coursework: Given different scenarios and tests on what to do in a leadership role. Learned interpersonal skills

 

Professional selling skills | 06/2010 |Achieve Global

  • Major: Learned interpersonal Skills

  • Learned how to build a lasting working relationship

  • Learned how to probe to understand needs

  • Learned how to market and bring in new business

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Skills & Abilities

Management

  • Senior Regional Leader with Primerica Financial Services. Oversee roughly 100 Agents

  • Owner of Gruntz Fitness LLC, Managed 6 Employees and over 90 Clients

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Sales

  • #1 in sales in Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sept, Oct, in 2015

  • Revenue for Gruntz Fitness LLC finished over $82,000 in 2016

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Communication

  •  Run training at the office. Also, send and receive correspondence between 88 Clients. I have given two speeches at a conference in NJ in front of 500+ Agents.

  • Effectively schedule employees and run weekly meetings and training with Staff

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Leadership

  •  Staff Sergeant in the USAF, Gym Owner, HR Manager, and Senior Regional Leader. I am always put in a leadership role and can motivate those under me. I would never ask a subordinate to do something I wouldn’t do or haven’t done before. Lead by example

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Experience

OWNER/TRAINER/NUTRITIONIST | GRUNTZ FITNESS LLC | 5/2016- 2/2017

  • Startup with only myself and three clients in May

  • Grew to over 90 clients and managed a team of 6 employees

  • From May to December, did over $82,000 in sales

  • Effectively designed programs and trained multiple clients who have hit their fitness goals

 

Senior Regional leader | Primerica financial service | 10/2014- 2/2016

  • Ran a team of agents who act as financial planners and salesman to a wide variety of clientele

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Gym Owner | The Training Grounds | 07/2014- 11/2015

  • Started, furnished, and handled the paperwork in all day-to-day operations at the gym. I was responsible for running a team of trainers and employees, as well as obtaining new clientele for the gym.

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HR Manager | Interim Healthcare | 11/2014- 02/2015

  • Responsible for new hires and management of personnel and records of over 400 health professionals.

 

Recruiter | United States Air Force | 09-2010- 05/2014

  • Responsible for enlisting recruits into the Air Force and managing them through a training and entry process while they waited to ship out to Basic Training

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Weapons Specialist | United States Air Force | 08/2006- 09/2010

  • Responsible for all weapons systems and functions of the A-10A and C model

  • Worked HH-60 Weapons for Combat Search and Rescue 

 

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Exploring Program 2013-2014

  • Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters 2007-2014

  • Member, AAUW STEM initiative 2013-2014

  • Member, Greece Chamber of Commerce 2014-2015

  • Member, BNI, Midday Masters 2015

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